http://www.funbirdingtours.com Have FUN with wildlife in one of the world's truly great birding destinations Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:12:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/26/sulphur-springs-valley-4/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/26/sulphur-springs-valley-4/#comments Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:59:13 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4885 We planned to stop at the pond by Faria Dairy for a few minutes but it turned into a much longer visit. This pond is attractive to wildfowl including diving ducks and grebes and often has interesting birds. That was certainly the case today. Straight away I noticed a loon and a quick look through the scope confirmed it as a PACIFIC LOON, a rare bird in SE Arizona. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/26/sulphur-springs-valley-4/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/sweetwater-santa-cruz-flats-pinal-air-park/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/sweetwater-santa-cruz-flats-pinal-air-park/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:35:35 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4813 Highlights were a dark phase FERRUGINOUS HAWK, a splendid pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES, a couple of BENDIRE’S THRASHER, a PRAIRIE FALCON and a couple of CRESTED CARACARAS. A sprinkling of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were found in most suitable fields. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/sweetwater-santa-cruz-flats-pinal-air-park/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/24/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/24/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats-2/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:37:04 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4832 The highlight was finding 39 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS in the Santa Cruz Flats. I think this is the first report in SE Arizona this fall, so it was nice to spread the news of their return. We also saw dark phase FERRUGINOUS HAWK and watched a thrilling chase between a PEREGRINE FALCON and MOURNING DOVE, which lasted for a couple of minutes before the dove finally escaped. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/24/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats-2/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/sweetwater-wetlands-anza-trail-at-carmen/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/sweetwater-wetlands-anza-trail-at-carmen/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:36:53 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4773 For the fifth year in a row, a GRAY HAWK has chosen the Arivaca Road exit on I-19 at Amado as it's wintering area. It's probably the only one in the U.S.A. at the moment, but it certainly didn't make itself difficult to find today. It's a shame more birds don't take this approach when it comes to revealing their whereabouts... [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/sweetwater-wetlands-anza-trail-at-carmen/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/i-19-corridor-birding/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/i-19-corridor-birding/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:10:13 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4768 Highlights at Pena Blanca Lake were an ARIZONA WOODPECKER, a gorgeous male LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH and a minimum of 12 LEAST GREBES. I was particularly pleased with some of the photos. We eventually saw the SCARLET TANAGER along Peck Canyon Rd in Rio Rico. It was silent and motionless in a large mesquite for about ten seconds, then dropped out of sight. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/i-19-corridor-birding/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/18/san-rafael-valley-harshaw-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/18/san-rafael-valley-harshaw-canyon/#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 02:43:20 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4828 Arriving at the San Rafael Valley around lunchtime, activity was predictably slow but we managed to find quite a few sparrows including a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, as well as a couple of flocks of CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR and a PRAIRIE FALCON. A juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER gave us a close fly past and an opportunity for a decent photo. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/18/san-rafael-valley-harshaw-canyon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/03/pena-blanca-lake-patons-amado-pond/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/03/pena-blanca-lake-patons-amado-pond/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:54 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4628 We watched this area of brush piles and shoreline for a long time, with different birds coming in throughout. It was a veritable sparrow fest! As well as the GOLDEN-CROWNED we had brief views of a smart BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW, as well as LARK, LINCOLN’S, SAVANNAH, VESPER, BREWER’S, RUFOUS-CROWNED, WHITE-CROWNED and CHIPPING SPARROWS, making it ten species in one spot. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/03/pena-blanca-lake-patons-amado-pond/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/pena-blanca-lake-patons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/pena-blanca-lake-patons/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:48:12 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4604 At Pena Blanca Lake, at least ten LEAST GREBES, drake WOOD DUCK, pair of REDHEADS, LESSER SCAUP, GREEN HERON, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, juvenile BLUE GROSBEAK, couple of LAZULI BUNTINGS, three each of INCA and COMMON GROUND-DOVE, lots of RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERS and hundreds of sparrows. Quality birding! [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/pena-blanca-lake-patons/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/28/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/28/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 02:41:15 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4597 A couple of INCA DOVES were showing well here and a ROCK WREN was calling. Around the corral on Baumgartner just west of Wheeler, five CRESTED CARACARA gave excellent views from the road. The irrigation channel opposite had two GREAT and a SNOWY EGRET, which was a surprise. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/28/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/27/continental-montosa-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/27/continental-montosa-canyon/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:57:17 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4591 The highlight was at Montosa Canyon, where I had a brief view of one of two calling BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS, but frustratingly I couldn’t get anyone else on it before it disappeared. When we finally found a visible (and calling) gnatcatcher it was a BLUE-GRAY. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/27/continental-montosa-canyon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/23/rufous-backed-robin/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/23/rufous-backed-robin/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:37:11 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4543 Whilst birding with Peter and Marianne Hosford in the Santa Cruz Flats south of Eloy, Arizona, I was lucky enough to find a RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN, a rare visitor to the U.S.A. from Mexico. They are usually found at fruiting trees in riparian or other lush areas, but surprisingly this one was feeding on the ground in a small pecan grove in an area of cotton fields, sod farms and hostile, sparse desert. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/23/rufous-backed-robin/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/22/sweetwater-pinal-air-park-santa-cruz-flats/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/22/sweetwater-pinal-air-park-santa-cruz-flats/#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 06:23:05 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4550 Considering the early date, the Santa Cruz Flats were awesome! We found a handsome FERRUGINOUS HAWK along Picacho Highway, and as we watched it disappear over the fields a WHITE-TAILED KITE crossed our line of sight. Two CRESTED CARACARAS were perched up distantly in a hedgerow. Elsewhere we found a PRAIRIE FALCON and a couple of BENDIRE’S THRASHERS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/22/sweetwater-pinal-air-park-santa-cruz-flats/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/24/san-pedro-house-ash-ramsey-canyons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/24/san-pedro-house-ash-ramsey-canyons/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 04:34:08 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4176 Along the river, migration was evident. There were quite a few LAZULI BUNTINGS with one or two BLUE GROSBEAKS and an INDIGO BUNTING. Other migrants included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, HOUSE WREN and NASHVILLE WARBLER. Other birds included GRAY HAWK, SONG, LINCOLN'S and CHIPPING SPARROW, ABERT'S and GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES, SUMMER and WESTERN TANAGER. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/24/san-pedro-house-ash-ramsey-canyons/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/20/mt-lemmon-3/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/20/mt-lemmon-3/#comments Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:57:57 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4032 At Bear Wallow we found a mixed flock. The birds were coming down to a couple of small puddles. We had amazing views of MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, HERMIT THRUSH, HERMIT WARBLER and RED-FACED WARBLER. When the latter landed at close range, there was the distinctive sound of a mega-bird giving mind-blowing views when everyone, myself included, said “aaaaaahhhhhh, wow!” in perfect harmony. Quite a memorable moment. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/20/mt-lemmon-3/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/19/las-cienegas/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/19/las-cienegas/#comments Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:51:13 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4028 Summer residents in the riparian habitat included COMMON GROUND-DOVE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and calling GRAY HAWKS, whilst migrants were represented by OLIVE-SIDED and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, LAZULI BUNTING, WESTERN TANAGER, a NASHVILLE WARBLER moving through mesquites near the HQ and multiple WILSON’S WARBLERS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/19/las-cienegas/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/29/columbia-silkmoth-glovers-silkmoth/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/29/columbia-silkmoth-glovers-silkmoth/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 06:22:56 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3993 As Kristen and I drove into Summerhaven, I noticed something in the road. I drove around this interesting looking object, parked, and we went back to take a look. To my absolute delight, it turned out to be this stunning moth, a Columbia Silkmoth of the Glover's Silkmoth subspecies. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/29/columbia-silkmoth-glovers-silkmoth/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/29/mt-lemmon-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/29/mt-lemmon-2/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 06:20:57 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3985 We added lots more higher elevation birds such as HAIRY WOODPECKER, BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD, CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER, PLUMBEOUS VIREO, STELLER'S JAY, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, BUSHTIT, three species of NUTHATCH, BROWN CREEPER, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, HERMIT THRUSH and YELLOW-EYED JUNCO. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/29/mt-lemmon-2/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/27/continental-madera-canyon-3/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/27/continental-madera-canyon-3/#comments Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:30:17 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3903 Madera Kubo had a nice selection of birds, including BERYLLINE and VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS, SUMMER and HEPATIC TANAGERS, BRONZED COWBIRD, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and PLUMBEOUS VIREO. A bit like buses, after waiting for nine years to see one, I saw my second BLACK BEAR of the month. It ambled across the road right in front of us. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/27/continental-madera-canyon-3/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/25/zone-tailed-hawk/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/25/zone-tailed-hawk/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:55:20 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3953 Whilst birding with Allison and Ben Sill on Mt. Lemmon, we encountered this ZONE-TAILED HAWK at the Windy Vista viewpoint. It went on to give us excellent looks for a prolonged period. We all felt very lucky to have seen this majestic birds at such close quarters. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/25/zone-tailed-hawk/feed/ 2 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/25/agua-caliente-park-mt-lemmon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/25/agua-caliente-park-mt-lemmon/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:31:22 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3907 Summerhaven was very birdy, with BAND-TAILED PIGEON, lots of YELLOW-EYED JUNCOS, WESTERN TANAGER, MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD, several family parties of CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER, a few VIRGINIA’S WARBLERS, ROCK and HOUSE WRENS feeding young, HERMIT THRUSH, AMERICAN ROBIN and SPOTTED TOWHEE. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/25/agua-caliente-park-mt-lemmon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/10/ash-miller-canyons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/10/ash-miller-canyons/#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:25:37 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3837 We headed up Miller Canyon late morning and spent a while chatting with the Beatty family. We enjoyed the pond, noting several Chiricahua Leopard Frogs and a couple of Black-necked Gartersnakes. Moving up to the CAS, we spent a long while enthralled by the hummingbirds: ANNA’S, BLACK-CHINNED, BROAD-BILLED, BROAD-TAILED, RUFOUS, many truly magnificent MAGNIFICENTS and a smart male BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/10/ash-miller-canyons/feed/ 2 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/06/continental-to-patagonia/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/06/continental-to-patagonia/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:43:40 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3818 Next up was Patagonia Roadside Rest, which produced THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD and a gorgeous VARIED BUNTING. Four COMMON GROUND-DOVES were at Paton’s in Patagonia, along with INCA, MOURNING, WHITE-WINGED and EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE for a five-dove moment. VIOLET-CROWNED, BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED and a female MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD added to the fun, along with HOODED ORIOLE, GRAY HAWK and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/06/continental-to-patagonia/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/05/huachuca-mountains-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/05/huachuca-mountains-2/#comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 06:25:26 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3802 We first went to Ash Canyon B&B. The birding was exceptional as usual. Highlights included LUCIFER, RUFOUS, MAGNIFICENT and BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS, SPOTTED TOWHEE, BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, loads of BUSHTITS and BLUE GROSBEAKS plus much more. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/05/huachuca-mountains-2/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/04/santa-rita-loop/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/04/santa-rita-loop/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:42:27 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3771 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/04/santa-rita-loop/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/28/continental-madera-canyon-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/28/continental-madera-canyon-2/#comments Sun, 29 May 2011 06:46:50 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3647 Our highlight was undoubtedly a COMMON BLACK HAWK soaring over the lower reaches of the Carrie Nation Trail. Could it be one of the birds seen at Patagonia Lake recently? Another raptor, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, pushed the Black Hawk close for bird of the day. This was much higher up the Carrie Nation Trail. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/28/continental-madera-canyon-2/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/27/madera-canyon-rio-rico-patagonia/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/27/madera-canyon-rio-rico-patagonia/#comments Sat, 28 May 2011 06:11:37 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3627 At the Paton’s house, we were entertained by a couple of COMMON GROUND-DOVES, several GRAY HAWKS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, LARK SPARROW, BLUE GROSBEAK and BROAD-TAILED, BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED and VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/27/madera-canyon-rio-rico-patagonia/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/25/mt-lemmon-sweetwater-wetlands/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/25/mt-lemmon-sweetwater-wetlands/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 06:19:23 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3625 Rose Canyon Lake was very birdy, especially around the amphitheater just below the parking lot nearest the lake. Several GREATER PEWEES were in song, a stunning pair of OLIVE WARBLERS were the biggest hit of the day, whilst others included GRACE’S WARBLER, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO, PINE SISKIN and CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/25/mt-lemmon-sweetwater-wetlands/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/24/rio-rico-patagonia-lake-patons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/24/rio-rico-patagonia-lake-patons/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 06:00:41 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3618 Paton’s produced a host of splendid birds, including GRAY HAWK, INCA DOVE, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, CHIPPING, LARK and a latish WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, BLUE GROSBEAK, BRONZED COWBIRD, BROAD-BILLED, BROAD-TAILED, BLACK-CHINNED and several different VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/24/rio-rico-patagonia-lake-patons/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/15/continental-madera-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/15/continental-madera-canyon/#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 06:13:43 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3559 Santa Rita Lodge had a male INDIGO BUNTING with the LAZULI BUNTINGS, plus a BRONZED COWBIRD and a gobbling WILD TURKEY. Madera Kubo had the usual eye candy such as BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, HOODED ORIOLE, BRIDLED TITMOUSE, BLACK-CHINNED and BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/15/continental-madera-canyon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/19/huachuca-mountains/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/19/huachuca-mountains/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:48:03 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3423 We were able to add another hummer to the list, a fine male LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD which made a couple of visits. Both male and female CALLIOPE were also seen, as well as the usual array of eye-popping birds. The orioles were extremely popular. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/19/huachuca-mountains/feed/ 1